Pearl V. Gates, 88, of Mansfield died early Friday morning, May 24, 2002 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital after an extended illness. Mrs. Gates was born January 14, 1914 in North Liberty, Ohio to Commodore Perry and Bernice Simpkins Deck. She was an area resident and homemaker all of her life and enjoyed sewing and gardening. Pearl was a former member of First United Methodist Church.
She is survived by a son, Albert E Gates; one granddaughter, Rebekah Pritchett; two grandsons, Donald Donelson and David Donelson; six great-grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and a sister, Eldora Stall of Danville, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Gates, daughter, Betty Jean Donelson, brother, George Deck, and three sisters, Eva DeVore, Ida Belle Shrimplin, and Jesse Bowen.
Friends may call at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors Monday, May 27 from 4-7 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday until the time of service at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, conducted by Rev. Dave A. Gilbert. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park.
